April 25, 2016

Highlighted Year: Chad Brown, 1996

Linebacker, Pittsburgh
Steelers

Age: 26

4th
season in pro football & with Steelers

College: Colorado

Height: 6’2”Weight: 240

Prelude:

A four-year
starter in college, Brown was chosen by the Steelers in the second round of the
1993 NFL draft. He moved into the starting lineup at inside linebacker due to
an injury to Jerry Olsavsky and, while a raw talent, performed ably with three
sacks, two forced fumbles, and 69 tackles. Brown excelled in 1994 as part of an
outstanding linebacker corps, compiling 8.5 sacks and 90 tackles, and was used
as a rushing defensive end on passing downs. He missed six games due to
injuries in ’95. After three years, Brown totaled 17 sacks and 218 tackles.

Steelers went
10-6 to finish first in the AFC Central while leading the conference in sacks
(51), fewest total yards allowed (4362), fewest passing yards allowed (2947),
and fewest points allowed (257). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Indianapolis
Colts (42-14). Lost AFC Divisional playoff to New England Patriots (28-3).

Aftermath:

Brown
departed the Steelers for Seattle as a free agent in 1997. Playing at right OLB
in a 4-3 scheme, he led the Seahawks with 104 tackles while also registering
6.5 sacks and scoring two touchdowns among his four fumble recoveries. Brown
was credited with a career-high 149 tackles in ’98, receiving consensus
first-team All-NFL honors and garnering the first of two consecutive Pro Bowl
selections. He spent a total of eight seasons with Seattle, continuing to be a
fine playmaker if also showing signs of wear. He left the Seahawks after the
2004 season and, in his last three years, played for the Patriots twice with a
return to Pittsburgh in between. Overall, over the course of 15 seasons and 188
games, Brown compiled six interceptions, 15 fumble recoveries, three of which
were returned for TDs, 79 sacks, and over a thousand tackles. He received consensus
first-team All-NFL honors twice and was chosen to three Pro Bowls.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus
first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the
following statistical categories: